Robert E. Gernand

November 5, 1926 - May 26, 2019

Robert E. Gernand, age 92, of Huntington, died at 9:43 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Heritage Pointe of Huntington. Visitation will be from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 648 North LaFontaine Street, Huntington, with Rev. Timothy Lorenz officiating. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be in St. Paul’s County Line Cemetery in Huntington County with military graveside rites performed by VFW Post #2689 of Huntington. Preferred memorials are to Lutheran Heritage Foundation, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, Indiana, 46750. Bob was born on November 5, 1926 in Fort Wayne, the son of W.J. and Lucy (Strieter) Gernand. He graduated from Fort Wayne South Side High School, where he was later inducted into the Hall of Fame for football and track. Bob graduated from Michigan State University in 1948 and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Guidance. He served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and received the Commendation Medal with Combat V Device for Valor. He married Velma Jean Goebel on July 6, 1958 and taught math at South Side High School for 35 years. He also coached football and track and was assistant basketball coach. Bob was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntington for many years and served on the Board of Trustees; he was also a member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. He had a keen interest in local history, collected classical music, tended to his large flock of sheep, and enjoyed college sports, especially Michigan State. He also loved to read. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jean Gernand of Huntington, sons John Gernand of Manhattan, New York and James William (Karen) Gernand of Redwood City, California, a daughter, Caroline (Michael) Runyan of Huntington, a brother, Herbert Gernand of Thailand, and grandchildren Steffen Gernand, Elsa Gernand, Carrie Runyan, and Luke Runyan. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers William Gernand and Martin Gernand, and a sister, Eleanor Rodenbeck.